In 2009 we felt the rhythm of her heart go “Düm Tek Tek” on the Eurovision Song Contest stage in Moscow.

And earlier this month Turkey‘s Hadise took to social media to reminisce about her times at the contest — and to share her hopes that TRT will return to Eurovision in the future.

On May 16, the 31-year-old stunner shared a photo from her eye-catching performance along with the following caption:

I hope my beautiful country will again participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. 8 years ago today I was on the stage during the finals and I still feel the energy I felt that day when I got on stage and saw our beautiful Turkish flag in everyone’s hands.

Turkey infamously withdrew from Eurovision back in 2013, citing their displeasure with the mixed jury/televote scoring system and the status and immediate qualification rights of the Big Five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom).

They even went as far as to participate in a Eurovision alternative — the Turkvision Song Contest.

Year after year, fans speculate that Turkey might return to the contest.

However, the broadcast seems to withdraw their interest at the eleventh hour every year.

Turkey was long considered one of the powerhouses of Eurovision.

Bringing their quintessential Eastern flavour to the contest, they managed to top the scoreboard in 2003 with Sertab Erener and “Every Way That I Can”, and earned a top ten placing eight times out of thirteen attempts this century, including from Hadise herself.

Do you think Turkey should make its return to Eurovision 2018 in Portugal? If so, which artist do you think could secure Turkey their second win? Let us know in the comments section below!

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blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Highly doubt we’ll be seeing Turkey back any time soon given the political climate of the country under Erdogan…the excuses they provide seem like just a front…it’s clearly political why they aren’t returning. Don’t hold your breath, people. Instead, let’s have a country who’s willing to participate and that’s Kazakhstan who’s an associate member like Oz…hope they are invited next year in Portugal! 🙂

This is my opinion (TIMO)
This is my opinion (TIMO)
6 years ago

This is ridiculous of Hadise, she is just teasing. ..during her rehearsal she lost her temper and went mad then she said it’s normal for things like that to happen and after eurovision she told the media she will never do eurovision again. ….as for turkey it’s making excuses why they withdrawed from the competition disrespecting the rules after so many years of participating. They don’t want to come back due to financial I difficulties that’s the end of it

Ana
Ana
6 years ago

You are really naive if you think that Turkey will come back, lol

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

Turkey is not necessarily an automatic qualifier. I mean, they haven’t really sent a bad song recently, except in 2011, when they managed to send the worst song in the contest that year. I guess I wasn’t really a fan of the song in 2007. I’m not really familiar with the ones before 2007 except Sertab’s.

The song they sent in 2008 was really quite great. I’d love to have Mor ve Otesi back in the contest.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Slovakia for the win yo!!

Atleast Slovakia for the return ….. sigh!!

Siranush
Siranush
6 years ago

I’m Armenian, and even I support this fully! I always loved Turkey’s entries, and I miss having them. And remember, Eurovision is about music, not politics

Ana
Ana
6 years ago
Reply to  Siranush

”And remember, Eurovision is about music, not politics”- yeah, sure 😉

marvelous
marvelous
6 years ago
Reply to  Siranush

I’m Turkish and I always loved Armenian entries too, especially Inga & Anush. They were really cool at this gorgeous stage of 2009!

John Egan
John Egan
6 years ago

That’s ironic: if 2003 had the current voting system I suspect Sertab’s victory would have been massive–thanks to the boost of jury support. Definitely one of those “too good for the Eurovision” winners.

Lewis
Lewis
6 years ago

I hope Turkey return, I found they’re entries to be some of the best. I think now the voting has changed they should be enticed. But the big 5 should remain as they are the biggest money contributors to the contest… but maybe 3/5 should buck they’re ideas up (UK, Spain and Germany … disclaimer: my opinion) I think if Turkey returned they’d easily place top 5 even win. It might even help deter the Australia hype with jury voting. Fingers crossed for their return.

Erik
Erik
6 years ago

They are right about the situation of big 5 but complaining about jury/tele is just an uncessarily excuse(2009, 2010 with this system they were in top5). I always see turkish flag on the arena every year and people want to return to contest in my opinion.
Turkey JUST COME BACK

Chicken Kyiv???
Chicken Kyiv???
6 years ago

I love Turkey in Eurovision they are one of my holy trinity.

However the country has gone down hill rapidly under erdogdan. It’s not overrun by Islamists

Branko
Branko
6 years ago

Turkey was so great in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, entertaining to watch in 1991, 1997, 2005 and cool in 2010, 2011. Come back

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
6 years ago

Please Turkey come back! Although winning is great, it’s mostly about having a great time together and showing your culture and you’ve done it well every single year
One of my all time favourites is Sertab Erener in 2003 and I really love the other entries as well
The best year will be the year Turkey comes back to Eurovision
(Also, I have some Turkish origins so it would be nice to see Turkey in the contest- I’m Israeli)

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

I personally want Turkey back!!! They have sent quality songs in the past and I like to listen to their oriental vibes. The only thing I don’t like is that Germany will automatically give 10 or 12 points to Turkey, no matter what the song is, and Turkey will automatically give points to Azerbaijan for example. Turkey seems unhappy with the voting but they are the first to bloc vote or neighborly love vote…. but yeah I would love to have Turkey back, come on!!!

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

This “jury system” argument is ridiculous!
They can’t complain.Turkey was almost always in the top 10, even when the jury system was introduced in 2009! That’s not their problem. Perhaps, there are issues inside the country.

I’m a fan of Turkey in the contest! They brought a different flavour! Many entries I like.

I’d love to see them return. Remember, Italy was absent for 14 years. So, sooner or later, I believe they’ll return!

Turkey come back
Turkey come back
6 years ago

you are afraid of turkey that might bring some fun and traditions, and your countries without traditions, and without fun, and only capable to produce ballads, will be losers again.

Abel
Abel
6 years ago

Something like this should be Turkey entry.
Kivanc Tatlitug is the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2gecsHKBGg

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

Lol, lmao about all your senseful comments. Russia participated every year as well (except this year) with their leader, who isn’t the most famous among a lot of ones as well, why shouldn’t Turkey be able to do so?! Turkey was one of the colours of Eurovision, bringing differenty types of quality music! My country should really return to the contest, and if they do so, Mabel Matiz should represent Turkey! He has a really unique style, and music gender in Turkey, plus as far as I know, he is homosexual, so making people clear, that Homosexuals exist and CAN… Read more »

DenizNL
DenizNL
6 years ago

Hadise is very big in Trukey, so I hope they listen to her.

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
6 years ago

Turkey is my favorite country in ESC, so I really hope they will come back soon!

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Question is would Europe want Turkey back? Does it really need yet another half-democracy country to compete and show that they really are a progressive tolerant country?

Abel
Abel
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Who is Europe? Jon Ola Sand? Who?

marvelous
marvelous
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Yeah, we all agree that ESC embraces tolerance and humanitarian values but people shall decide WHAT is really important for this contest: Politics, values, musicality or just fun? I’m from Turkey and I know that the viewers from my country mostly are secular, tolerant and LGBTI+ friendly, so being participating is my right to this competition! According to your opinion, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine etc. should not be participating to the contest due to lack of democratic (?) behaves. Overall, this competition is for “people”, not for governments.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

Turkey, more than any other country in the contest, saw its entries benefit because of the diaspora vote. However, should Turkey return, I’m not so sure it will do as well as it used to do. Diaspora voting seems to have been diluted thanks to the jury system AND growing interest in Western Europe.

Notice how Greece & Azerbaijan have seen their fortunes turn at Eurovision in recent years? My guess is that Turkey will find itself in the same situation.

NN
NN
6 years ago

No chance to have Turkey at Eurovision with Erdogan as president of Turkey and if decide to participate we would see feale singer like we saw from Turkey in 1997, 1999,2003,2006, 2009 with that king of performacne or dresses.

ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago

We all want Turkey to come back.

Kirk Kardashian
Kirk Kardashian
6 years ago

I like Turkish music but I don’t want to see the country in ESC until Turkish people get rid of that dictator. He is a terrorist and wreaks havoc everywhere. Let him stay away from all of us.

Abel
Abel
6 years ago

All contrary, Eurovision can help Turkey to see that it loves freedom after all.

JamieLim
JamieLim
6 years ago

Hadise is so sexy *_* COME BACK TURKEY. Bring the belly dance. Bring Hadise – Sertab – Sibel Tüzün

JamieLim
JamieLim
6 years ago

I also want Turkey back. They have always amazing songs. Come back Turkey you will be always in Top10

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I miss Turkey at Eurovision Song Contest a lot! 🙁

Who knows? They might try participating at JUNIOR Eurovision! 😀

marvelous
marvelous
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

LOL. JESC is such a rough spot.

AG
AG
6 years ago

Turkey will return. One day.

They are just one more angry country that decided to withdraw , but the power of Euro lights bring them back.

Denmark, Malta, Bulgaria, Austria… They were all angry for some reason and then gave up and then return. Some after few years, some after decade(s).

Danna
Danna
6 years ago

Another automatic qualifier, along Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Romania, Hungary, Poland and Greece. Many will dislike, as they’ll want small countries to have a chance for qualification, too…

Tomas Patrick Davitt
Tomas Patrick Davitt
6 years ago
Reply to  Danna

I disagree. I think only Russia and Poland and the ones there that can qualify almost automatically, because of their diaspora.

The rest qualify automatically cos they always send great songs.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago
Reply to  Danna

Poland did not make it past the semi final in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Greece did not qualify in 2016.

Hungary did not qualify in 2008 and 2009.

Sweden was eliminated in 2010.

Armenia did not make it to the final in 2011.

So the only countries you might rightfully call “automatic qualifiers” are Azerbaijan, Russia and Romania. 😉

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  M_K

@M_K And Ukraine and Australia 😉 Of course those countries you have mentioned have failed to qualify atleast once, they are usually, 95% in with a chance of qualifying every year. Poland has also increased its qualifications dramatically since their return in 2014, and not always due to song, in my opinion, they shouldnt have qualified in 2014, 2015,2017 or got a Top 10 in 2016 . Greece missed qualifying in 2016, but really they should have missed qualifying in 2015 and 2017 also, Sweden’s 2010 entry was a fluke, it even just missed out on the final, however since… Read more »

Abel
Abel
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Each country has citizens that live in other country, why don’t they vote? WHY? At the end of the day, there are countries/people that care about Eurovision, more than others.

Jiffidosuf Caomix
Jiffidosuf Caomix
6 years ago
Reply to  M_K

Ukraine would also be a automatic qualifier!

Ern
Ern
6 years ago
Reply to  Danna

Turkey did not qualify for the final in 2011.

Abel
Abel
6 years ago

I want Turkey to win, because they like esc, not like countries that say…*in our country nobody cares about esc*

Da
Da
6 years ago

Turkey is ruled by a vicious dictator so I dont think he likes ESC as a “western influence”.

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago

Considering the political state of Turkey right now…best not. I’d rather have Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina back on a regular basis.

Although since the Flemish broadcaster are internally selecting for Belgium 2018, why not Hadise? Turkish ethno realness with Belgian production = slayage.

My Name
My Name
6 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Omg yes

Fishy
Fishy
6 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

I was gonna say this. She should just comeback to represent Belgium

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

I don’t love to see Turkey back, they brought a few great entries to the stage, never afraid to shy away from their musical culture either and get Swedish writers and producers (not that I’m aware of anyway).

However, I think it is unlikely to see them back any time soon, politically, Eurovision doesn’t represent the Turkey that President Erdogan is trying to portray. Eurovision with half naked women and gay guys just doesn’t fit his agenda for the country. Hope I’m wrong though, is welcome them back for sure.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I’d …not I don’t ?

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I agree 100%. That power-mad dictator is what is keeping them out. He has ruined Turkey. I never bought their reasons for quitting – let’s not underestimate the levels of homophobia, etc. Erdogan is insane.

fastfoodmusiclover
fastfoodmusiclover
6 years ago

turkey is such a mess right now i don’t think a song contest is a big priority to them right now.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

Beautiful flag? Beautiful country? Calm down Hadise!

Although i can see her trying to bring TR back, personally i wouldn’t want that to happen.

Turkey under Erdogan will not return, maybe in 10 years they will come back though

Varian Jeataba
Varian Jeataba
6 years ago

Omg yes we will gladly welcome Turkey back, I’m still praying for Slovakia to return!

Tomás Patrick davitt
Tomás Patrick davitt
6 years ago

I’d love if turkey came back – they always sent awesome songs and great staging.

I always thought the argument against the big 5 was ironic – they automatically qualify every year based on their diaspora anyway. Plus the big 5 pay for it so of course they should be allowed to participate.

It’s because of Erdogan and his values. That’s why they’ve withdrawn

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

You may have a point; unfortunately, every year at least 2 of the Big Five never pull their weight. This time (and for the 3rd-straight year), Germany and Spain finished out of the top 20, which is an indication that both would not have qualified, were they to compete in the semis.

Fishy
Fishy
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

Yet Germany is the only country in tne big five that won in the recent years. Germany has pulled its weight by winning once and how about the rest?

Qwerty
Qwerty
6 years ago

Say Turkey returned and won the competition next year, would you feel a bit safe in Istanbul? With ISIS on your doorstep?

Seb
Seb
6 years ago
Reply to  Qwerty

Ukraine is at war with Russia and Kyiv was perfectly safe.
By contrast, at the end of my road in Manchester is a bomb squad looking for the accomplices of Mondays attacker.
I think Istanbul/Ankara/Bodrum would be fine.

David
David
6 years ago
Reply to  Seb

Seb that’s a silly comparison between Russia & Kyiv and ISIS… Russia, whilst inhumane in a lot of ways, would not actively seek the massive international outcry that would be caused by anything happening during an international event.

ISIS, on the other hand, don’t give two craps about who they kill. They’d probably take pleasure in massacring the LGBT that Eurovision is so associated with now.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago
Reply to  Qwerty

This is such a moronic comment. Isis is all around Europe. Look at manchester, Brussels, nice, stockholm

Flynn
Flynn
6 years ago

Honestly I don’t want Turkey to return we already have enough countries who get top 10 year in year out.

There are loads of countries that go underappreciated at Eurovision and I at least want them to at least have a shot at top 10 and be appreciated rather than being blocked out by the growing list of top 10 mainstays.

If anyone needs to come back it is Slovakia, usually had nice songs and usually in native language which is breathe of fresh air these days

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

Of course they are displeased with the jury system: the 100% televote system of the 2000s is the only reason they started getting successful, thanks to their big diaspora. Regardless of the song, every year they were getting 12 televote points from Germany, France, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc., all countries with big Turkish communities.

Abel
Abel
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

Europe is full of *Belly Dance Classes*, do you think that Sertab Erener won just because diaspora? I’m so sick of these diaspora accusations. Where was Polish diaspora this year?

Ern
Ern
6 years ago
Reply to  Abel

Poland doesn’t care much about the contest. Viewing numbers in Poland are very low. Thus, it’s safe to assume that Polish diaspora don’t care much either.

Abel
Abel
6 years ago
Reply to  Ern

Then…why the accusations against Michal Szpak 2016 and the huge gap between jury and televote?

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Abel

Yeah, it’s entirely possible that Sertab won because of diaspora votes – especially considering that the contest was unprecedentedly close that year – right at the very end it was still between Belgium, Turkey and Russia, with only a few points between them – so if diaspora votes got her any points at all they were likely significant enough to push her over the line.

Racal
Racal
6 years ago
Reply to  Abel

You can’t win just with diaspora votes, I’ll give you that (although as Jonas said, Turkey won by a margin of just 2 points that year, which means that any single point coming from diaspora may have given Turkey the edge). However, do you feel that Turkey really deserved to place in the top 10 seven times in their last ten years? I don’t think so, their entries ranged from just ok to plain mediocre, and the only reason they did so well was diaspora (how else could they get 12 from Belgium, Holland, Germany, etc., EVERY SINGLE YEAR?). It’s… Read more »

Chrizal
Chrizal
6 years ago

As someone who loved Turkey in 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, I certainly agree.